Schools vs. Central Services

Two-thirds of the APS budget goes directly to the classroom, paying for teacher and educational assistant salaries.

Another fifth of the budget goes directly to schools in the form of student and instructional support and school administration.

Just over 10 percent of the APS budget is maintenance and operation costs, most of which goes directly to the district’s 140 school sites.

Less than 5 percent of the APS budget goes to central services and administration. Shutting down all non-schools services -- including payroll, human resources, technology, public relations, budget and finance, procurement and the superintendent’s office -- would save the district about $25 million.

Breakdown of Operational Funds

The following is a breakdown of where APS operational dollars go:

• Direct Instruction (66%): Teachers, educational assistants, professional development
• Maintenance and Operations (12%): Building maintenance, utilities, upkeep of grounds and equipment
• Student Support (10%): Counselors, nurses, occupational therapy, psychological services
• School Administration (5%): Principals, assistant principals, staff, graduation expenses
• Instructional Support (3%): Librarians, media specialists, testing
• Central Services (3%): Human resources, information technology, accounting, budgeting, accounts payable, purchasing, grants
• Central Administration (0.9%): Superintendent, associate superintendents, APS Board of Education offices, bond elections